[Family diagnosis in psychological disorders of children and adolescents].

There are far more publications about family therapy than about family diagnostics. According to an old medical principle, however, diagnosis should always come first and therapy should follow. To help remedy this situation, over the past 15 years we have developed a family diagnostic inventory that is useful in clinical practice and allows development of adequate therapeutic approaches on the basis of a careful family diagnosis. The Marburg Family Diagnostic Scales, a part of this inventory, are described and their use is illustrated by examples from a clinical case report. The scales have shown to be useful for therapy planning and for the evaluation of family oriented interventions.